Fire-escape



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A H. C. STOCKHAM & J. ADAMS.

Y FIRE ESCAPE No. 291,240. 'Patented Jan. 1, 1884.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE, i

HENRY O. STOOKHAM AND JOHN ADAMS, OF GERMANY, OHIO.

SPECIFICATION forming` part of vLetters VPateizlt No. 291,240, dated January 1, 1884. Application flied June 2s, 188s. (No Dioden To all whom, t may concern:

Be it known that we, HENRY C. STocxHAM and JOHN ADAMS, citizens of the United l States, residing at Germany, in the county of Pike and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes; and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to what are termed friction fire-escapes; and its object is to pr`ovide such an escape always to be found fixed and ready for use in every inhabited room of a lofty building, and requiring no aid from outside to the occupant of such room seeking to escape therefrom.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a front perspective of the machine; and Fig. 2, a detached view, to show the construction and operation of the friction-brake.

Ais a double-bracket frame, of cast-iron, affixed to the inside wall of a room above the window by strong bolts a a.

Bis a revolving drum, the ends of which are journaled in the interior faces of the two brackets of the frame. On this drum an iron Wire rope, O, is wound in such manner that the outward loose end of the rope projects to the front and not the rear of the frame-work. In front of the drum B is a cross-bar, D, the ends of which work vertically in slots a', cut in the brackets. To the under side of this cross-bar is attached a bow-spring, E, the ends of which are supported by the bearings F F, projecting from the inner faces of the brackets. One end of the drum B is formed into a broad groove, b, in which sits a brake, G, so curved as to fit the surface of the groove for a distance of about one-third round the circumference. This brake, at its base, is pivoted to the rearv part of the inner face of the bracket adjacentto the grooved end of the drum, by a bolt, g, while its upper end is fastened to a metal strap, g, which passes down through the cross-bar D, and terminates in a screw-nut, g2.. Mortised and journaled into the upper part of the bar D is a roller, d, over which the loose Aend of the rope is passed. Another roller, H, journaled between the two 'brackets of the frame, serves to keep the rope clear of the bar and spring, and another, J, behind which the rope is passed, serves to give a retarded and nonswaying motion to the descending rope. A leather waist-belt, K, adjustable by means of a slip-noose, is attached to the loose end of the rope C, and just above it a stirrup, L, dangles from the rope, to be grasped by the hand for the purpose of relieving thepressure upon the Waist of the operator. A crank-wheel,l M, xed upon the projecting axle m of the drum B, enables a person left in the room to rewind the rope after a companion has descended.

It is obvious that when weight is applied to the outer end of the rope O a downward motion is forced upon the bar D, and (as aconsequence thereof) upon the strap gf, which in turn tightens the brake G upon the surface of the groove or Wheel b, and it is equally apparent that the pressure upon the brake will be proportioned to the weight at the end of the rope, so that a heavy body can descend with thesame leisure and safety as a light one.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim to be new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In friction fire-escapes, the combination of the frame, bolts a, slots, drum, groove, rope, stirrup, belt, bar, roller d, spring, bearings, brake, bolt g, strap, nut, roller H, roller J, crank-wheel, and axle, substantially as above described, and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof we affix ourjsignatures in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY C. STOOKHAM. JOHN ADAMS.

Witnesses:

JN0. C. DOUGLAS, T. JoNEs. 

